Monday, August 5, 2013

Writer's Block Quilt Block and a Humorous Biography of Marie Bostwick, Author of Between Heaven and Texas

Writer's Block Quilt Block


Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.  I research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.     

Our book to read and discuss during August 2013 is Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick.  Back in March, we read her book A Single Thread, the first book of the Cobbled Court Quilts Series.  Our new book is a prequel to that.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us!
 
Here's a fun note from our author, Marie:  "A while back, my publishing house asked me to update my biography.  I wrote two versions.  This is the one that DIDN'T make it onto the cover."

"Marie Bostwick was born and raised in the northwest, where, being an overweight and socially awkward child, she collected a whole closetful of imaginary friends that are with her to this day. She graduated from college in 1984 with a bachelors degree in Communications (because it was the only degree that didn't require a statistics course) and a double minor in self-loathing and procrastination. Marie married while she was young and extremely fertile, quickly giving birth to three sons, who are now grown up and don't call nearly as often as they should.

“Marie is the published author of a bunch of books. No kidding, a bunch. Like ten. She continues to be amazed by this. So does her high-school English teacher.

“When not writing, Marie spends way too much time on Facebook and window shopping for RV's on the internet. Marie loves to quilt. She really, really does. However, her enthusiasm for quilting outstrips her natural talent. This is at least partly because she has the attention span of a gnat and no math skills (see statistics course avoidance above). She is also pretty nearsighted which makes it hard to stitch a consistent quarter-inch seam. After sunset, it's darned near impossible.

“Marie likes to garden but is too scattered to give her garden the attention it deserves. The same can be said of her other hobbies -- piano, knitting, guitar, punchneedle embroidery, cooking, and kayaking. (Marie doesn't actually own a kayak but she wants one.) Marie has killed every single houseplant that has ever had the misfortune of coming into her possession. She hasn't balanced her checkbook since the late 80's and can never find her purse, glasses, or car keys.

“Fact is, the only thing Marie truly knows how to do well is write, so please buy this book, if only to keep her from becoming a burden to society."

You can read the other version of her biography here.

Marie recently commented on my blog:  "Hi Everybody!   Susan, I'm so happy you'll be discussing BETWEEN HEAVEN AND TEXAS this month.  I really love this book.   I don't think I'd change a word of it.  Hope all of you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  If you have questions as we go along, let me know and I'll try to answer. 

What question would you ask Marie about her life or her life as an author?  Inquiring minds want to know!   Answer in the comment section below.  If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway of a fabulous prize pack containing Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot (first three books of the Shenandoah Album Series) and Mountain Away, all by Emilie Richards - courtesy of Harlequin!

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

28 comments:

  1. This biography makes me wanna go buy the book. LOL!

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  2. Lisa, You SHOULD definitely go buy the book and then read it! It is a thoroughly enjoyable read. While you're at it, read the whole series. You'll think you're living life with all of them.

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  3. What have you learned most from the Gals who are members of your Quilt Guild "Cobbled Court Quilt Circle"?

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    1. Hmm...I guess the biggest thing is what real friendship looks like. These gals are always there for each other, through thick and thin, ready to give a word of encouragement and, of course, a quilt.

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  4. August 6
    Starting out your writing career as a young mom with three children, how did you fit writing into your daily life? I sometimes have trouble finding time to quilt (I know that does sound strange) during the week and I'm a recently retired Grandmother ;-) Can't imagine finding time to write and publish books as a young mother.

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    1. I did have it a little easier than some people because when I first got serious about writing we were living in Mexico so we had live-in help. But that wasn't true when we returned to the states. Even now, though my children are grown and this is how I make my living, it is STILL hard to carve out time for writing. I have to do now what I did then, make an appointment with my computer, announce to the world (and my family especially) that I am WORKING, and then keep the appointment, day in and day out. A lot of it just comes down to taking my writing seriously, as a job and a calling. If I don't take myself seriously, no one else will either. The rest of it just has to do with understanding that there really is no way to "have it all". Being a writer is time consuming. It doesn't leave me time to do all the things I might want to. Sometimes I simply have to say no to things that don't support the writing.

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    2. I like the idea of making a daily appointment! I'll try making one with my sewing machine and see if I can get more quilting done. I'm thinking that this will help me (and others) take it more seriously. Not that it's a job for me but so many other things can get in the way.

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  5. When are you going to write another book about Mary Dell, Lydia Dale and all the Too Much bunch!!! Loved this book, and wanted more of the story!! Of course, wondered if Donnie ever comes back!! LOL - fatal flaw and all!!

    Hilarious biography! Since I have met Marie, I can just "hear" her saying all those things!!

    Blessings

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    1. When am I going to write another book about Mary Dell? No idea. But I'm pretty sure I will someday. As far as Donny, I don't know if he comes back or not. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

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  6. Did you take any writing courses? I found reading your biography a joy. My son just survived Statistics in college this past spring and it was a BEAR of a class. I too had statistics once upon a time and hated it.

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    1. Not exactly. I did work with a mentor for several years. For 3 years, I would write a short story a month, send it to my mentor, who would read it and comment and send it back. There were no assignments and no actual instruction, I just wrote what I wanted to write, my mentor would respond, and then I'd write another piece the next month. Personally, I believe that you learn to write by writing and writing often. That three years got me into the groove and helped me develop the discipline to keep going.

      Bless your son. He's a better man than I am!

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  7. I went into elementary education so I didn't have to take Statistics!! I love Mary Dell, so down to earth and funny. Loved the book and will read again. Just like most things, you learn by doing and doing. Always ready to read more about the Cobbled Court Quilt Circle. Friends are so precious. Any DDL or grands yet?

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    1. Yes, two of my boys are married - to wonderful women, I might add - and I have two grands so far. Hoping for lots more!

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  8. Marie, you are a hoot!! This is the best biography ever! Wow...does this mean you are a real live person!?! Thank you for writing such delightful books. I have every copy of the Cobble Court quilt series and am thoroughly enjoying my copy of "Between Heaven and Texas". Keep writing and I promise to do my part to buy your books and keep you off the streets. It the least I can do to keep another late middle-aged matriarch from wreaking havoc on society and embarrassing herself. :)

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    1. Thanks, Mama T! I appreciate that!

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  9. Gee, she sounds a lot like me (but we have a kayak and I don't do 'yarn' things). Too funny!

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  10. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Cobbled Court quilt series and as always one more lesson in patience is occurring! I'm looking for a partial reprieve from this lesson. Is it possible you have something coming out in a Christmas book? I thought I heard a rumor as to that possibility.

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    1. Yes, there is a Christmas book! Actually, it's a novella. The name of the book, an anthology which will feature four different writers, including Fern Michaels, will be called Secret Santa. My story in the anthology is titled "The Yellow Rose of Christmas". It should be out around Halloween.

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    2. I see that you've collaborated with Fern Michaels on some other Christmas books. Is this a favorite time to write about?

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    3. Hi Mary Ann, I do love to write about Christmas but I love to write about everything so that isn't the reason so much. It's really just because Ms. Michaels does a Christmas anthology every year and I've been fortunate enough to be invited to write a story for it on three occasions. They are really fun books to write; a little lighter than my usual so it makes a nice change for me.

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  11. Marie, do you think your books will become a mini series for TV.
    Have only read the first two book of the series, life happens but I will get to the rest soon, a birthday is coming up they are on my wishlist.

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    1. Well, I'd be game for it if the TV people would, Pat!

      Honestly, that sort of thing doesn't happen very often but I would love it if it did!

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  12. I sure can relate to a lot of that biography. Statistics? I can't even count past ten, as I run out of fingers. I am so happy, my daughter was able to get me the book and it will be waiting in Minnesota when I get there tomorrow.

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    1. What a nice daughter! Hope you enjoy your visit, Julie.

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  13. I love the biography and think it should be used! Your books are terrific and I'll definitely look for the Novella when it comes out. Keep up the great work.

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  14. Thanks for a great book series!

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  15. Thank you, Karen! So happy you've enjoyed them!

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I love hearing from readers. Your comments make my day!